Are red ants and fire ants the same?

In the United States, there are many species of ants that are red in color. Many times people will call ants “red ants” because they do not know the correct name. However, the ant that is most often called the “red ant” is the red imported fire ant. Sometimes it is called by its initials—RIFA. read more

A: Actually there are several species of fire ants found throughout the United States some of them indigenous. The Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) is considered the worst of all varieties. It has become a major pest in many parts of the country. read more

Red ants or Fire Ants are unique because unlike other ants they bite with their mouths to hold on and then they sting injecting toxins into their prey (or an unsuspecting human). The venom causes a burning pain at the site of the wound that some say feels like fire. read more

Red imported fire ants move eggs, larvae or pupae up and down in the galleries of their nest’s tunnels. A red imported fire ant colony may contain several queens and thousands of worker ants. Behavior When provoked, red imported fire ants are aggressive insects, but they are most often seen building piles of soil outdoors. read more